Supportive services for you and your child

Birth Mother

Catholic Charities’ Adoption Services

Since we understand a crisis pregnancy can create anxiety, confusion, pressure and a sense of urgency, we offer support services to help you choose what is right for you and your child.

If you choose to place your child for adoption, we will provide:

Birth options counseling

Case management and support throughout pregnancy and adoption process

Home visits, if needed

Assistance in choosing and meeting a family for placement

Planning hospital stay

Determining how much contact you want after placement

Limited financial assistance

If you are facing a crisis pregnancy and need help, please contact us today. We find joy in helping you see the hope and possibility for your child, whether that is through adoption or parenting.

You do not have to be Catholic in order to receive our services. Services are free to you and are always confidential.

What to Expect

If you are considering placing your child for adoption, here is a simple outline of how the process works from start to finish:

Step 1 – Contact Us
Talk to an adoption/maternity specialist.

Step 2 – Receive Information about Adoption
We will meet at a place of your choosing – our office, your home – wherever is most comfortable for you. At that time, we will talk about the adoption process and review potential adoptive families.

Step 3 – Discuss Services Available for Assistance

Step 4 – Select the Best adoptive Family for Your Child Identify the qualities you want in adoptive parents and review the profiles of prospective parents. Select a family when you are ready, and meet with them face-to-face if you choose.

Step 5 – Delivery
Determine how much care you want to provide for the child at the hospital. Place the child with the adoptive parents at the hospital, and 7-10 days after delivery, go before a judge at the courthouse to sign relinquishment papers.

Step 6 – Post Adoption Services
If you have elected, maintain communication with the child and adoptive family through letters and pictures. During this stage, you may receive ongoing support and counseling. Upon the 18th birthday of the adopted child, you determine if they may contact you or have a copy of the court transcript.

Types of Adoption

There are two primary types of adoption – open and closed adoption. Please continue reading for more information about the advantages and disadvantages of each as it relates to the birth parents, the adoptive parents and the child.

Both the open and closed adoption processes are experienced differently by all involved. Many families find that somewhere in between works for them, often termed "semi-open."

The most important thing for all parties involved in the adoption process is communication. The more communication about wishes, desires and expectations, the more comfortable each party will be in the adoption process. The agency remains open to supporting the families post-adoption by assisting in the exchange of letters and pictures, as well as facilitating face-to-face visits, if both families prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I choose my own doctor?

Yes, you can choose your own doctor. If you do not have medical care or insurance, we will assist you in obtaining both.

2. Can I choose the adoptive family for my child?

Absolutely! Each adoptive couple has been carefully screened and has an approved Adoptive Home Study.

3. How are adoptive couples screened?

Before adoptive couples are approved to begin the adoption process, Catholic Charities reviews and verifies the following:

Medical history report from a physician with confirmation they are healthy and able to adopt

Clear criminal, domestic violence and child abuse history

Positive financial and work history

Letters of reference showing evidence of a stable marriage

There are no perfect couples. We are looking for couples who can, with God’s help, work with one another to solve life’s problems and are called to accept children into their family through adoption. The couple will participate in individual interviews and joint interviews, and there will be a visit in their home.

4. If I choose adoption, will I be able to see my baby?

Through discussion of your preferences, you will decide how much contact you wish to have with the adoptive couple and the child. Then, you will select an adoptive family that match your adoption desires. Some birth parents choose to have no contact with the child, while many exchange photos and letters by mail and maintain contact by phone. Still, other birth parents may have visits periodically.

You will decide if you want to meet them and how much contact you would like to have after placement. Openness in adoption means openly sharing information about the child. Open adoption means open communication – not co-parenting. You will provide the adoptive family with information regarding your medical history for the benefit of the child.

5. I have other children. Have you had others who have placed a child for adoption and also continued to parent their other children?

Yes! We help women of all ages with different situations and circumstances. Some are pregnant for the first time, while others have experienced pregnancy and are parenting other children.

6. I am the birth mother and do not live in Oklahoma. Will you help me?

Please, give us a call and we can discuss this situation, since state laws vary from state to state. We look forward to helping you get the answers you need, whether we are able to help with your entire adoption journey or find you someone in your area who can!

7. What about the father? How much will he be involved?

We welcome and encourage all birth fathers to be involved in the adoption plans, if he is willing and it is possible. Sometimes the father is actively involved and supportive of the adoption plan. Other times, he does not acknowledge the pregnancy and does not want to be involved. At times, we have requested paternity testing. Like you, there are additional legal rights and court procedures required of birth fathers. Staff will assist based on individual case needs.

8. Is financial assistance available?

Yes. Catholic Charities may help with some needs as long as they pertain to the pregnancy. Any expenses must be approved by the court.

9. Do I have to pay for legal and medical fees?

No, you will not be responsible for any of the legal fees that are connected with the pregnancy or adoption. Medical expenses are usually covered by your insurance. However, all expenses paid on your behalf by Catholic Charities must be approved by the court.

10. Do I have to tell my parents about the adoption?

If you are over the age of 18, you do not have to tell your parents. If you are living with or supported by your parents, it is usually best to inform your parents of the decision. If you have not told your parents, we can help you with communication approaches.

11. Can I ever get my child back? Is it permanent?

Catholic Charities Adoption Services receives children and asks the court to put into place the adoptive plan of the birth parent. When you go to court, you are asking the judge to terminate your parental rights. It is the job of the court to determine if this is in your best interest and the best interest of the child. When the court terminates parental rights, the judge is convinced that your decision is voluntary, without force or pressure from anyone and there is no fraud. The court honors the request of the birth parents to assist them in making a plan of adoption for the child. It is a difficult decision that becomes permanent at the completion of the court hearing and therefore must be thought through carefully.

Today, you canhelp us do more.

Mission Statement

Guided by Catholic teaching, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City serves those in need, regardless of their faith, through transformative, empowering and dignity-affirming social service programs that seek to eliminate material, emotional and spiritual poverty across Central and Western Oklahoma.